4.) 26 Jun 2019 16:37:50
I think Connolly can actually be a quality winger for RNH but 5M for a 27 year old with a career high of 46 points? I can handle an over pay for 3 years but 5M is too much IMO.
I figured Vegas would want a roster D back considering there D isn’t the greatest. But how about Bear and a 2nd?

7.) 26 Jun 2019 19:20:24
Add Ryan Hartman to the list of guys the Oil should sign. He didn’t get qualified so he should come cheap. Maybe 1M 1YR.
The Oil don’t sign anyone for cheap so it wouldn’t completely surprise me but I think he’ll sign for less than 4.5M.

Braun got a 2nd and 3rd. If Russell can get anything close to that the Oil should do it IMO. I also wouldn’t be opposed to retaining 500K.
What teams would be interested?

Ebsolutely

1.) 20 Jun 2019 02:36:55
Russell is a good top 4 defenceman. Your typical shut down defenceman. Will play for your best PK always do his best to block a shot. Contract is too long though. If he had one year left, we would see playoff teams start a bidding war for him imo.

2.) 20 Jun 2019 16:44:02
Tough look for me posting it three times. Lol but to be fair I tried like a day apart… either way very comparable.
TyBa4 maybe that’s part of a reason why a team takes him. Could get something good if there a bubble team that sells at the deadline.

3.) 20 Jun 2019 18:01:12
I disagree, Russell is not a good top 4 D man. He can’t move the puck offensively and is bad defensively. His blocked shots are an indicator that when he’s on the ice his team doesn’t have the puck and he’s unable to get it back. Block all the shots you want if you can’t recover the puck you’re going to get scored on.

4.) 20 Jun 2019 19:15:35
@Jb32
Russell is fine offensively for a defensive defenceman. In fact, in the 2017 season he was the second best defence man in making passes that lead to zone entries (behind Kronwall) . This isn’t saying that he’s a huge stud for an offensive defenceman (because everybody knows he isn’t) but it’s became a trend to hate on Russell and say he’s useless.

Meanwhile According to Evolving Hockey, Justin Braun was the third worst offensive player in the entire NHL.

If Braun is worth a 2nd and a 3rd, Russell is worth at least a 2nd. The stats prove it.

Braun got a 2nd and 3rd. If Russell can get anything close to that the Oil should IMO. I also wouldn’t be opposed to retaining 500K.
What teams would be interested?

Ebsolutely

1.) 20 Jun 2019 19:56:31
Braun shoots right, Russell shoots left like everyone else. I know it doesn't really matter a lefty can play the right side or whatever, but I still think there's more value in a righty especially if it's a guy that's capable of sliding into a top 4 role.

29 Jun 2019 00:26:06
Miller and Burakovsky are two guys the Oilers should have been in on. They both would’ve significantly improved the Oilers and they both went fairly cheap. Starting to get my doubts with Holland when he’s missing out on quality players. Vessey and Ho Sang are two guys the Oilers should maybe look into. Free agents Connolly and Hartman would help depth. Sundqvist and Karlsson could both be options for centres due to cap space. DeHaan and Braun both moved for decent pieces makes me think Russell should be gone as well. Oilers can’t go into next season with the same roster or we’ll be in the same position firing another coach at seasons end.

Ebsolutely

1.) 29 Jun 2019 11:46:00
If you think Holland is going to be the solution to the Oilers problems, you’re going to be disappointed.

3.) 29 Jun 2019 22:23:19
Burakowsky has been in the league for 4 years and has gradually gotten worse every year the caps have been trying to trade him for 2 years. Miller is a decent power play option who is not great defensively who was a healthy scratch several times this year including at least one playoff game let's not pretend either was going to make a huge difference.

5.) 29 Jun 2019 23:15:44
Nobody said they’d make a huge difference habby but Miller would be the best RD on Toronto, I know that’s not saying much. Burakovsky I think would be a step up from some of the wingers Edmonton has brought in.

6.) 30 Jun 2019 00:31:03
He would leafs 17 but I still don't see him as fit to play with Reilly so at the end of the day I doubt dubas was interested in using up a large part of their remaining cap space and still not upgrade the 1st pair right D.

9.) 30 Jun 2019 19:33:52
Miller is a 40 point puck moving D that could get second pair minutes with the Oilers. He would’ve been a perfect stop gap that can run a PP until Bouchard is ready. Burakovsky has speed and skill I’d think he’d be a good complimentary winger for the top 6 but your right he hasn’t put up points and he’s been getting worse.

10.) 30 Jun 2019 21:42:23
Both of them still have the potential to be better so you never know. But essentially that's what your trading for. Hoping they do get better and more consistent I also don't think holland was really interested in acquiring either considering they have both been defensive liabilities throughout their careers.

3.) 01 May 2019 05:59:59
Exactly sosa they can be fined. It does nothing and why should it when these guys make millions? Diving is not only an embarrassment to the game but also makes the refs jobs harder.

I’d love to see the obvious ones get suspensions. The problem is where do you draw the line between fining and suspending. Suspend only on repeat offenders? Or depending on the severity of the dive? Either way I hope hockey doesn’t turn into soccer.

4.) 01 May 2019 07:05:03
It will be tough to get everyone cause it happens a lot. I'd also like to see the extra shot a player gives their opponent when they know they are already getting a penalty being policed a bit better. The Bruins have mastered this technique over the years.

5.) 01 May 2019 14:43:30
I guess something along the lines of Basketball? They have that one, so many technical fouls, ya sit a game? Maybe something along those lines. 5 a year, sit a game? I don't really know, what the answer is . I do see your point though Ebsolutley.

8.) 02 May 2019 00:20:04
Or just let the refs hand out 2 minute penalties and let the league take care of the fines and suspensions Habby.

Redwing I like your idea but might be some legal issues with trying to fine guys that much. But I don’t see why the suspensions can’t get bigger with every dive you take. Then maybe restart for the next season?

11.) 03 May 2019 01:16:00
The fines get bigger but no suspensions isn’t it Habby? I say one fine then straight to suspensions.
I don’t know why they don’t at least crack down on it with fines. In a season there’s probably a million cases of guys throwing there heads back that don’t even get touched by a stick that can at least be heavily fined.

13 Feb 2019 20:23:19
If the Oilers are still in the playoff race come deadline time, should they be buyers, sellers or stand pat?
IMO I think they should be sellers to get some ammunition for the off season. They have a few UFA’s they should trade.

Chiasson - Big veteran winger. Could get a 3rd+ or a 2nd. 17G 10A 46GP

Rieder - Speedy winger. Could maybe get a 4th. 0G 9A 41GP

Petrovic - Big defensive D. Could maybe get a 3rd. 0G 2A 32GP.

Ebsolutely

1.) 13 Feb 2019 20:40:22
I also think they need to lose some salary. Russell, Manning and Spooner are 3 contracts that I think they should trade. It would free up 9.35M. They may have to retain on these contracts though.

Russell has 2 years left after this one at 4M. I think he can get a 2nd+.

Manning has 1 year left after this one at 2.25M. I think he has negative value but could be salary going back in a trade.

Spooner has 1 year left after this one at 3.1M. I also think he has negative value but again could be salary going back in a trade.

2.) 13 Feb 2019 20:42:32
I think they should be sellers right now and get a head start on things. I also think there should be about 3 or 4 untouchables on the roster and maybe 1 or 2 prospects. The rest should be moved if possible and add whatever you have to other then these 5 or 6 players or their 1st this year to get rid of lucic and sekera. hope to finish last this year and draft hughes or kakko.

3.) 13 Feb 2019 21:18:12
Habby, I think they just need to cut dead weight then spend futures on some quality players. I believe a buyout for Sekera would cost 3M over 4 years so that would save the Oil 2.5M over the next 2 years.

If they were to trade the 6 players I named they’d save 13.95M. Talbot is another UFA contract I forgot to include. His 4.15M and Sekera’s 2.5M would bring the savings to 20.6M.

After these moves they’d need 2 top 6 wingers, 2 bottom 6 wingers, 1 top 4 D and a backup goalie. And there’s a few cheap options in the AHL.

4.) 13 Feb 2019 23:05:29
@ebs in theory yes that would work but spooner was put on waivers and nobody took him for free. You would have to retain on just about all those you mentioned so then what do you save 7mil? Plus you can only retain so much.

5.) 14 Feb 2019 00:31:18
He wouldn’t be picked up off waivers no but he can be traded. He was traded for a decent middle 6 winger this year. He only has a year left so I don’t think he holds that much negative value. For example Detroit moved back 4 spots in the 1st round plus traded a 2nd to dump Datsyuk’s contract and he was making 7.5M.

7.) 14 Feb 2019 06:47:04
I really don’t see the playoffs as a possibility right now. Everyone not named McDavid should be considered as trade bait. I don’t think they need a rebuild by any means but maybe some known character guys need to be brought in.

9.) 14 Feb 2019 19:29:48
This team has to trade 3 or 4 of their top 7 players in order to bring in players from winning organization and change the losing, me first attitude that the top Oilers players have. Until they do this they will continue to underachieve, lose and be selfishly content with their individual stats at the expense of the teams success. Don't sell now but wait until the draft in order to get players from winning organiztions that can turn this leaderless, soft, selfish and complacent team around.

11.) 15 Feb 2019 01:30:49
I disagree Islandjet. This team only has 3 good players as far as forwards go. 2 of the 3 have only been on the team for 4 years and have made the playoffs once. The other, RNH, yes has been apart of a losing team for a long time but he does mostly everything right and is far from the problem. The team tried to bring in veteran “winners” Lucic, Brodziak and Chiasson and they haven’t done much to help.

Leafs17 you didn’t piss me off! Lol I like hearing other opinions. You guys definitely aren’t the only ones that think this team needs a knew core/ winners brought in. I just think they need a competent GM to bring in a few quality players to provide secondary scoring and strengthen the depth.

13.) 15 Feb 2019 12:45:12
I totally agree Habby. And Larsson is the only one of those guys to come from a different team. Chiarelli did nothing to help the team.
I really think if they can cut some dead weight cap and add a good winger and a solid D they could be a good team. 2 maybe 3 players could make the difference IMO.

14.) 15 Feb 2019 16:03:14
The right 2 or 3 players could make a huge difference. But the oilers need help in so many areas it's going to be difficult to get the guys to fill those holes. imo jones and bear McLeod bouchard all have to be ready soon. Also they need puljujarvi and Yamamoto to take things to the next level. And they might even need a wild card like maskimov or somebody else to show they can make the big club to turn this around quickly. That being said everyone healthy next year and they get on a run they could be a playoff team but to reach anything close to contender status they need to shed a lot of the crap that's taking up the cap and they will have to add some real good pieces to that just to rid themselves of it. its going to be a tough job for the new Gm but not an impossible one. And one thing the new guy will have going for him is he will be in a no lose situation cause their is no way he will be as bad as chirelli.

2.) 03 Jul 2018 03:56:44
Leafs are planning on using their centre depth to cover up a bit of their blue line holes. Kadri is a massive part of that. Shut down centre with back to back 30+ goal years at $4.5mill. Can’t afford to lose that.

Also Lee obviously has great chemistry with Tavares but wingers for him to play with is not a problem we have. Babcock already said he will have marner on his wing, that was in the pitch they made to him.

And lastly Lee has a year left making $3.75mill and with 40 and 34 goals in the last 2 seasons, he’s going to get a big raise we can’t afford.

4.) 03 Jul 2018 05:00:25
Toronto is weak on the left wing was my only thinking and New York could use another centre now obviously. Lol yeah Lee will get a raise but it might not be too much higher than Kadri’s. And I understand center depth is important but a team doesn’t need a 4.5 million dollar 30 goal scorer on the 3rd line when there left wing is weak. Just a thought but also using the money and trade chip on a D would probably make more sense for Toronto.

5.) 03 Jul 2018 05:41:50
Kadri got 4.5 mill after a poor season and some off ice problems. He scored 30 goals twice since. Lee only makes 750k less and put up those 2 massive seasons on that contract. It will be hard to put up 35+ again without tavares obviously, but if he puts up near 30, that’s 105 goals over 3 seasons. He’s not signing for Kadri money lol Kadri wouldn’t sign for Kadri money except he was already locked up when he broke out.